As training camp opens, hope springs eternal for all NFL teams. The negativity surrounding past struggling teams washes away momentarily as fans have a renewed energy as the new rookies take the field and teams look to carve out a bright new future for the organization. Everyone is undefeated. Every fanbase has the luxury of thinking their team will make the playoffs despite the various known and unknown challenges that lie ahead. 

So can Carolina make it to the playoff party, win the division, or even get to the dance? Initially, the Panthers had the worst odds to win the NFC South, but daily these numbers are fluctuating where Atlanta and Carolina trade places at the bottom. It’s not surprising. The champion Buccaneers are getting the band back together--literally, every starter returned this season. The Saints have won the division for the past two years and, despite losing Drew Brees, have a pretty solid squad of players, including running back Alvin Kamara, Michael Thomas, and Cameron Jordan. Albeit there are some question marks as Thomas underwent foot surgery this past month, Marshonn Lattimore could potentially start the season suspended, and Sean Peyton tries to figure out how to replace Drew Brees with Jameis Winston. 

There isn’t really a reason for Carolina to be higher in the pack than third, and there is some credence to the odd-makers dismissiveness of Carolina as they try to find some momentum with Sam Darnold. 

It is the time of the year, however, where hope springs eternal, and there may actually be some value in putting a little cheddar on Carolina to be a surprise team to make the playoffs. 

1. The Panthers have a friendly schedule early in the season, allowing them to build confidence and momentum. Carolina starts the season against the Jets, who have a rookie coaching staff and expects to be starting rookie quarterback Zach Wilson, who didn’t attend the opening day of training camp because of terms that have yet to be agreed upon rookie contract. Carolina next faces a Drew Breesless Saints in week two that likely will be missing Michael Thomas and Marshawn Lattimore. In week three, Carolina goes to Houston, and everyone knows about that dumpster fire. The backend of the schedule isn’t friendly by any means. However, the friendly start could toughen this team up for the murder’s row after week 10. 

2. Carolina has real talent on offense. CMC is back. DJ Moore looks to be blossoming into a gamer, and Robbie Anderson is coming off of a career year. Sure there are concerns about Sam Darnold, who had an abysmal season with the Jets last year, but there is an opportunity that he finds new life in Carolina with more talent and far better coaching staff.

3. The defense is poised to take a fast next step. Carolina’s defense improved a lot over the 2020 season after coming off an unprecedented draft where Carolina drafted only defensive players. It seemed necessary in retrospect. Carolina needed to get younger and faster, and they did that and got better after they stopped starting Tahir Whitehead. The Panthers defense could be a dark horse this season as Brian Burns looks poised to be a breakout star, Derrick Brown continues to beast in the middle, and with the belief that a secondary with Jeremy Chinn and Jaycee Horn can be a dominant force in the making. 

4. The Panthers are young and may just be naive enough to not care about the early beliefs that they aren’t contenders. But, give this team a little taste of success, and this coaching staff may just get them believing in themselves despite the odds-maker’s assessments. 

C3 Panthers Podcast host, Cody Lachney, touts that this will be a boom or bust season. The odds-makers believe in the latter, but if the stars align just right, Carolina may just surprise some teams and even find their way into the playoffs. 

By Tony Dunn